RoxwelNews

Newport Folk Festival Lineup Announced

An exciting mix of folk music's founding voices and modern favorites highlights the 52nd edition of the Newport Folk Festival when it returns to Newport's Fort Adams State Park July 30-31. Tickets go on sale today, March 31, at 10:00 am at www.newportfolkfest.net.

Often likened to “coming home” to the very roots of the folk-music tradition, the Newport Folk Festival is an annual favorite of fans and musicians alike. The laid back, at home feel has been known to inspire artists' spontaneous, on-stage sit-ins as well as unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime, impromptu performances throughout the festival grounds.

“In an age when it's increasingly common to see tour buses roll on to the next gig as soon as sets end, artists linger at this festival, sometimes for the whole weekend, just to hang out or sit in, creating an annual, defacto Folk summit by the sea,” said Jay Sweet, Folk Festival co-producer. “The goal, as always, is to serve the Festival's musical heritage, which to me is paying respect to older groundbreakers while championing young chance takers. This is Newport's blueprint, written by George Wein and Bob Jones, who along with co-founder Pete Seeger, often remind me that folk music is, and will always be, a living tradition, constantly evolving. As long as we stay true to this simple credo, we'll be around another half century and beyond.”

George Wein, President of the Newport Festivals Foundation and Producer of the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, added, ”One of the best elements to a festival is the mingling of musicians, sounds and spirits, and this year’s edition of Newport Folk strongly builds upon the tradition that Pete and I first set into motion in 1959. The Festival touches people around the world, but I couldn’t be prouder of our new relationship with Rhode Island’s own Alex and Ani as well as the exciting artists who have Rhode Island roots such as What Cheer? Brigade, David Wax Museum and Brownbird.”

Wein has found Newport to be a scenic and hospitable venue for presenting the very best of this country’s blues, roots, gospel, country, bluegrass, Cajun and traditional folk music. This year's edition once again pays tribute to the great performers who wrote the proud history of this festival, including Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Mavis Staples and Emmylou Harris.

As in recent years, the festival continues to welcome the next wave of folk voices, including The Decemberists, Gillian Welch, The Head & The Heart, Middle Brother, and last year's festival darlings, David Wax Museum. After winning a fan contest to claim a spot in last year's Newport Folk Festival, David Wax Museum went on to increased national exposure and a Boston Music Award for Americana Artist of the Year. The Decemberists return after performing at the Festival's 2009 edition, this time backed by their 2011 studio release, The King is Dead. Elvis Costello, the prolific English singer-songwriter with an almost cult-like following, makes his sophomore trip to the Newport Folk Festival.